Original Word: φθορά
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: phthora
Pronunciation: fthor-ah'
Phonetic Spelling: (fthor-ah')
Definition: Corruption, decay, destruction
Meaning: corruption, destruction, decay, rottenness, decomposition.

corruption, destroy, perish.

From phtheiro; decay, i.e. Ruin (spontaneous or inflicted, literally or figuratively) -- corruption, destroy, perish.

see GREEK phtheiro

Cognate: 5356 phthorá (from 5351 /phtheírō) – destruction from internal corruption (deterioration, decay); "rottenness, perishableness, corruption, decay, decomposition" (Souter). See 5351 (phteírō).

Word Origin
from phtheiró
Definition
destruction, corruption
NASB Translation
corruption (4), destruction (1), killed (1), perish (1), perishable (2).

STRONGS NT 5356: φθορά

φθορά, φθορᾶς, ἡ (φθείρω), from Aeschylus and Herodotus down:

1. corruption, destruction, perishing (opposed to γένεσις, origin, often in Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch; opposed to σωτηρία, Plato, Phileb., p. 35 e.; for שַׁחַת, Psalm 102:4 (); Jonah 2:7): Romans 8:21 (on which see δουλεία); 2 Peter 2:12a (some (cf. R. V. marginal reading) take φθορά here actively: εἰς φθοράν, to destroy); ἐν φθορά, in a state of corruption or decomposition (of the body at burial), 1 Corinthians 15:42; by metonymy, that which is subject to corruption, what is perishable, opposed to ἀφθαρσία, 1 Corinthians 15:50; in the Christian sense, the loss of salvation, eternal misery (which elsewhere is called ἀπώλεια), Colossians 2:22 (see ἀπόχρησις); opposed to ζωή αἰώνιος, Galatians 6:8, cf. Schott ad loc. 2. in the N. T. in an ethical sense, corruption i. e. moral decay: 2 Peter 1:4; 2 Peter 2:12{b} (some take the word here actively (R. V. text in their destroying), others refer it to 1 above), 2 Peter 2:19; with τῆς ζωῆς added, Wis. 14:12.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb φθείρω (phtheirō), meaning "to destroy" or "to corrupt."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of φθορά in the Greek New Testament can be related to several Hebrew terms that convey similar ideas of corruption and decay. Some corresponding Hebrew entries include:
• Strong's Hebrew 7843 (שָׁחַת, shachath): to destroy, corrupt
• Strong's Hebrew 4889 (מַשְׁחִית, mashchith): destruction, corruption
• Strong's Hebrew 2617 (חֶסֶד, chesed): while primarily meaning "lovingkindness," it is sometimes contrasted with corruption in the context of divine faithfulness versus human unfaithfulness.

These entries reflect the overarching biblical theme of the contrast between the corruptible nature of the world and the incorruptible promise of eternal life through faith in God.

Usage: The word φθορά appears in the New Testament to describe both physical decay and moral corruption. It is used to convey the transient nature of the physical world and the moral degradation resulting from sin.

Context: The Greek term φθορά is a significant concept in the New Testament, reflecting the transient and corruptible nature of the world and humanity apart from divine intervention. It is used in various contexts to describe the inevitable decay of the physical body, the moral corruption of individuals, and the ultimate destruction that awaits the ungodly.

In Romans 8:21, φθορά is used to describe the "bondage to decay" that creation is subjected to, highlighting the hope of liberation through the redemption brought by Christ: "that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God."

In 1 Corinthians 15:42, the term is employed to contrast the perishable nature of the earthly body with the imperishable nature of the resurrected body: "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable."

The moral aspect of φθορά is evident in 2 Peter 1:4, where believers are called to escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires: "Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."

The concept of φθορά serves as a reminder of the fallen state of the world and the transformative power of the Gospel, which offers hope and renewal through Jesus Christ.

φθορα φθορά φθορὰ φθορᾷ φθοραν φθοράν φθορὰν φθορας φθοράς φθορᾶς phthora phthorà phthorā̂i phthoran phthorán phthoràn phthoras phthorâsInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts